Rotary engine.



WITNESSES fay/Q4 PATENTED JULY 2, 1907.,

A. L. MOWRY.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30, 1901.

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INVENTOR -A. L. MOWRY PATENTED JULY 2, 1907 A. L. MOWRY. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1907.

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IJNITED STATES PATENT (wrist;

ALBERT LAWRENCE MOWRY, OF ST. JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO HARRY RICHARDS McLELLAN, OF ST. JOHN, CANADA.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1907.

Application filed March 30,1907. Serial No. 365,612.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT LAWRENCE MowRY, of the city of St. John, in the county of St. John, Province of New Brunswick, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in rotary engines of the multiple cylinder type, in which the pistons and cylinders rotate about eccentrically placed pivots, and its objects are to provide a simple engine of this type of maximum efiiciency, which may be reversed with great rapidity and in whichthe steam will be introduced in such a manner as to counteract the centrifugal force from the valves controlling the same; and it consists essentially of the improvements hereinafter more fully described in detail, in the accompanying specifications and dlawings, and specifically set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of the engine. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View through the cylinders. Fig. 5 is a side elevation partially in section of the face of one of the plates forming the sides of the cylinders. Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view through one of the valve housings. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional detail through the same. Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional detail through the same. Fig.

9 is a vertical sectional detail of the hollow cylinder supporting the crank pin. Fig. 10 is a. perspective view of the valve yoke.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

Referring to the drawings, A is a suitable base and bed plate, supporting the main shaft of the engine B, in suitable bearings a. Connected to and rotating with the main shaft are a plurality of symmetrically and 1adially arranged cylinders C, which, in accordance with my invention, are either square or rectangular in crosssection. The connection between these cylinders and the shaft may be of any desired character, but in the embodiment illustrated the front sides of all the cylinders are formed by a single plate D, which has formed integral therewith, a cylindrical central portion 1), which is connected to the main shaft. The, opposite sides of the cylinders are also formed by a single plate E, which has a central aperture having around its edges, an outwardly protruding annular flange 0, which bears on the outer surface of a cylinder F supported in bearings d and e from the base.

In the cylinders O are square or rectangular pistons G, having piston rods f rigidly connected thereto, the opposite ends of which are pivoted to a crank pin H, which is removably supported in a recess g provided in a boss h, on the interior of the hollow cylinder F, the

a second fixed center, eccentric to that about which the cylinders rotate, and all the parts of the pistons and piston rods rotate with constant radii.

The pistons are provided withsuitable packing which is actuated outwardly by suitable means, but preferably, by the force of the steam pressure itself. The packing of this type is well known in the art and forming no part of the present invention, need not be herein described in detail.

Steam is admitted into, and exhaustec frvmthe cylinders through ports j in the plate D which aQ-Gxds communication between the outer ends of the, cylinders and valve housings I secured to the outside of the plate. These housings may be of any suitable iype and have operating therein, piston valves 70, the piston rods lot the diametrically opposite valves being connected to yokcs m, which bear on a fixed cam-n, which, in the embodiment illustrated, forms an integral part of a steam chest J, described hereinafter in detail.

The steam is introduced to the outer end of the valve housings through a plurality of steam passageways 0 formed in the plate D, which have their inner ends terminating in longitudinal passageways p, which communicate with the steam chest J, which has connected thereto the steam supply pipe q. This steam chest is suitably supported in fixed position from the base, and preferably has packing rings 1" extending between it and the cylindrical portion b of the disk D, which it surrounds.

The steam is exhausted from the cylinders through the ports j and through radial steam passageways s formed in the plate D, which have orifices tintheir lower ends communicating with the central open space it provided by the juncture of all the cylinders. From this the steam is exhausted through the hollow cylinder F.

The various parts of the engine having now been described the mode of operation will be pointed out. The motive fluid, which may be steam or any other suitable expansive fluid is introduced through the pipe g into the steam chest J. Thence it passes through the passages 7) into the passages o in the plate D, and thence into the outer end of the valve housings I. The various parts of the engine being in the relative position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and the uppermost valve being open, the steam will pass into the end of the uppermost cylinder. Here it will exert an expansive force between the cylinders and pistons and as owing to the eccentricity of the pivoting pins of the cylinders and pistons, the wall of the cylinder on one side will be greater in area than on the other, the fluid inders, into which steam is to be introduced, come to occupy diametrically opposite positions, the steam previously introduced therein, will be exhausted through the port j, into the valve housings I, through the passageways s into the central space it between the cylinders and out through the hollow cylinder F. This operation of introduction and exhaustion of steam is successively carried out in each cylinder, resulting in a continuous and even rotary-movement. In addition to aiding the rotationby increasing the pressure on the side of the cylinder, it is observed that the relative rocking movement between the piston and cylinder exposes a larger area on the piston, which increases the reactive force. When it is desired to reverse the engine, the cylinder F is rotated, and for this means there is provided a suitable hand operating lever K, connected to the cylinder. By this means the crank pin is moved into the position shown in dotted lines, in Fig. 4, reversing the position of the piston in each cylinder, and owing to this reversal causing a reversal of the direction of movement oi the rotation of the cylinder It will be observed, in addition, however, that the reversal might be accomplished by shutting off the steam for a quarter of a revolution. This would enable the steam in the cylinders to condense and when the steam was again introduced, the pistons would be in a reversed position. The direction of movement of the engine is thus controlled either by the reversal of thesteam or the operating lever K.

It is to be noted that the steam is introduced to the outer end of the valve housings I, thus causing the steam to act against the centrifugal force of the valves operating therein, resulting in a steadier and more efficiont operation, and also to relieve the main shaft lifting the weight of the cylinders off the same and saving frictional loss. It is further to be noted that the crank pin H is removable and when worn or injured may be readily withdrawn and changed.

While the invention has been herein described with great particularity of detail, yet it will be readily understood that in carrying out the construction, certain changes, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:--

1. In a rotary engine, the combination with the rotatlug cylinders, and pistons therein, rotating about a center eccentric about which the cylinders rotate, of a disk forming the sides of the cylinders having ports therethrough. valve housings disposed opposite said ports, pistons operating therein, means for introducing steam into and exhausting it from the said valve housings, as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a rotary engine, the combination with the rotatlug cylinders and pistons therein, rotating with constant radii about a fixed center eccentric to that about which the cylinders rotate, a disk forming the sides of the cyl inders, radial passageways in said disk, of valves affording communication between the passageways and the cylinders. means for controlling the valves, and means for introducing steam into the passageways, as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a rotary engine, the combination with the rotating cylinders, and pistons therein'rotating with constant radii about a center eccentric to that about which the cylinders rotate, of a disk forming the sides of the cylinders having ports therethrough leading into the cylinders, valve housings disposed opposite said ports, valves therein, pistons connected to the valves, yokes connecting the pistons to diametrically opposite valves, cam means for actuating the yokes, and means for introducing an expansive fluid into the valve housings, as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a rotary engine, the combination with the cylinders rotating about a fixed center, of a plurality of pistons therein, piston rods rigidly connected thereto, a crank pin in which the piston rods are pivoted, and disposed ecceutrically to the center of the cylinders, means for supporting the crank pin in position, and means for rocking the supporting means to bring the crank pin into-its two operating positions, as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a rotary engine, of the type herein described, the combination with the crank pin, of a'cylinder, connecting means between the crank pin and the cylinder, bearings supporting the cylinder, and a lever for rocking the cylinder, as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a rotary engine, of the type hereinbefore referred to, the combination with the crank pin and supporting means therefor, of means for removably connecting the crank pin to the supporting means and means for rockingthe supporting means, as and for the purpose specified.

7. In a rotary engine, the combination with a plurality of cylinders rotating about a fixed center, and all uniting to form a central open space, of means for introducing steam to the ends of said cylinders, means for exhausting it therefrom and discharging it into the central open space, a hollow cylinder communicating with the central open space, a crank pin secured thereto, rods connecting the pistons with the crank pin, and means for oscillating the cylinder supporting the crank pin, as and for the purpose specified.

8, In a rotary engine the combination with a plurality of cylinders, rotating about a fixed center and uniting to form a central open space, of a. plate forming the side of the cylinders, having ports therethrough, communicating with the cylinders, valve housings opposite the ports, valves operating therein, means for introducing steam into the valve housings, radial exhaust passageways in the plate leading from the valve housings to the central space between the cylinders, pistons operating in the cylinders, a hollow casing opposite the plate, a crank pin supported thereby, and connecting rods pivoted to' the crank pin and rigidly connected to the pistons, as and for the purpose specified.

9. An improved rotary engine, including, in comblnation. a plurality of cylinders uniting to form a central open space, a plate forming one side of the cylinders, hav ing ports therein communicating with the end of the cylinders, valve housings opposite the ports, valves operatlug therein, means for operating the valves-steam conducting passageways in the plate, connecting with the valve housings, means for introducing steam thereto, conducting passageways also formed in the said plate, communicating with the central space between the cylinders, a shaft, bearings for the same connecting means between the shaft and the plate, a second plate forming the oppo site side of the cylinders having a central opening, an annular flange outwardly protruding around said openings, a hollow cylinder supporting the same, bearings for the same, means for supporting the said cylinder, a crank pin con nected to the inside of the cylinder, a plurality of pistons operating in the cylinders, connecting rods pivoted to the crank pin and rigidly connected to the pistons, as and for the purpose specified.

10. An improved rotary engine, including in combination, a plurality of cylinders uniting to form a central open space. a plate forming one side of the cylinders, having ports therein communicating with the end of the cylinders, valve housings opposite the ports, valves operating therein, means for operating the valves, steam conducting passageways in the plate, connecting with the valve housings, means for introducing steam thereto, conducting pas sageways also formed in the said plate, communicating with the central space between the cylinders, a shaft,

pin and rigidly connected to the pistons, and meansfor the purpose specified.

= rocking the cylinder supporting the crank pin, as and for Signed at city of St John, in the Province 01' New Brunswick this fifteenth day of March, 1907.

ALBERT LAWRENCE MOWRY.

Witnesses:

H. R. MCLELLAN, E. M. OLIVER. 

